Fly swatter



Nov. 8, 1938.

P. J. BROWNSON FLY SWAITER Filed April 15, 1937 I INVENTOR. Percy J. Brawms'on A TTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLY SWATTER Percy J. Brownson, Hastings, Minn.

I Application April 15, 1937, Serial No. 137,020 5 Claims (01." 4s 1s7) The present invention relates to improvements in fly swatters, and more particularly to fly swatters of the open mesh material type.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a conveniently arranged and simple form of stiffening element for the body end of the device to help in holding the same in a fiat position.

Another object is to provide holding and covering means for such stiffening element to prevent said element coming in contact With. the surface being struck by the swatter.

A further object is to provide means for reinforcing and holding in position the ordinary binding secured around the edges of the fabric, and to provide'a construction that will be particularly simple of assembling and that will be strong and durable for the purposes intended.

These and other features of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figwe 1 is a side view of a fly swatter embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the fabric body portion of the swatter.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figures 5 and 6 are plan and side views, respectively, of a stiffening element embodied in the construction shown in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a. view in detail of a portion of the fabric body, illustrating a modified form of stiffening element; and

Figure 8 is a view in detail of the ends of wire handle.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and particularly to the construction embodied inFigure 2, A indicates a piece of fabric, as of open mesh material constituting the striking body of the swatter. The open mesh material A is reinforced around its edge by a binding 2 of felt or other soft material.

In carrying out the present invention, strip 3 of soft material, as felt, is centrally secured to the opposite sides of the open mesh material, as by stitching 4. The strip, at its ends, preferably extends underneath the binding 2, as shown in Figure 3, being stitched thereto.

A stiffening element, as the doubled wire 5, is inserted between the strip 3 and one side of the open mesh material, with the ends of the wire adjacent the handle supported portion being formed with'outward bends 6 projecting beyond the covering strip 3 to anchor said stiffening element in position. The body portion A of the swatter is preferably somewhat elongated in shape.

The wire handle B is of standard twisted wire construction, bent to form at its inner end the V-shaped portion 1. In securing the open mesh body portion A to the handle, the corners of one end of the body portion, as shown in Figure 1, are bent over the sides of the frame end 8 of the handle, with the bent-over corners of the body 10 portion fastened over the frame end of the handle and to the body of the mesh material, as by staples 9.

It is customary to position inside of the handle supporting end of the body portion a card I0, which, as shown in Figure 8, is ordinarily folded over the frame end of thehandle, and which card usually carries desired descriptive and indicating matter.

In the modified form shown in Figure '7, the 20 ends ll of the wire stiffening element projecting from under the central soft stripping 3 are bent upwardly and outwardly at an angle. This permits the bent ends II to be passed behind the sides of the frame portion of the handle and en- 2 closed card and assists in further anchoring of the stiffening element in position.

By means of the improved features of the pres ent invention a number of novel advantages are attained. By having the stilfening element anchored under the stripping 3 upon one side of the open mesh fabric body, any physical connection between the stiffening element and fabric body and handle is avoided. The strip 3 enclosing the stiffening element prevents any contact 85 of the metal stiffening element with the striking surface, and the strip 3 upon the opposite side 01' the striking surface cooperates in placing upon 3 both sides of the fabric body a central soft striking surface and a strengthening reinforcement of the center of the body acting to hold the body in fiat position.

Through the novel construction of the stiffen ing element and its anchoring arranged in connection with the strip 3, it becomes particularly 5 easy to place the stiffening element in position and firmly anchor it in constructing the body portion before said body portion is fastened upon the handle. Particular ease of assembly is accomplished, and effective anchoring of the stiffening element by the present invention.

In assembling the body portion of the swatter it is only necessary to lay the stiffening element fiat upon one side of the fabric, place the strip 3 in position, and stitch the strip 3 to the fabric over the stiffening element, resulting in the stifiening element being effectively anchored between the strip 3 and the adjacent face of the open mesh body portion.

This assembly further permits of the strip 3 being carried under and connected with the binding, and, as shown in Figure 3, also forms a reinforcing and securing means for the binding at the opposite ends of the open mesh body portion. By carrying the strip 3 under and securing it with the binding to the fabric body further anchors the binding and guards against the loosening of the binding from the ends of the striking body.

I claim:

1. In a fly swatter, a body portion of open mesh material, a supporting handle, a strip of soft material centrally secured to one face of the body portion in line with the handle, a metal stiffening element positioned between said strip and the face of the body portion, means for anchoring said stiffening element in position between said strip and body portion, and means for securing said body portion to said handle.

2. A fly swatter having a body portion of open mesh material, a supporting handle, a strip of relatively narrow soft material centrally secured to one face of said )pen mesh body in line with the handle, a metal stiffening element positioned between said strip and the adjacent face of the open mesh body, outwardly projecting anchoring ends carried by said stiffening element adjacent the handle supported end of the body portion, and means for securing said body portion to said handle.

3. In a fly swatter comprising a body portion and a supporting handle, a strip of relatively soft material centrally secured to one face of said body portion in line with the handle and forming a receiving pocket between the strip and adjacent face of the body portion, a stiffening element extending lengthwise of the strip within the pocket formed by said strip, and means for anchoring said element in position.

4. In a fly swatter comprising a body portion, a strip of relatively narrow soft material centrally secured upon the opposite faces of said body portion in line with the handle, a stiffening element positioned between the strip on one face of the body portion and extending lengthwise of said strip, and outwardly bent ends carried by said stiffening element adjacent the handle supported end of the body portion, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a fiy swatter comprising a body portion of open mesh material, a binding secured around the edges of said body portion, a narrow strip centrally supported upon the opposite faces of said open mesh body portion, said strip being of relatively soft material and being connected at the ends of the body portion with the binding, a stiffening element positioned between the strip on one side of the body portion and the adjacent side face of the body portion, said stiffening element extending longitudinally of said strip, and bent anchoring ends carried by the stiffening strip adjacent the supporting handle, said anchoring ends projecting beyond said covering strip.

PERCY J. BROWNSON. 

